Rotatable impact tool holder



May 28, 1957 M. M. FORD 2,793,551

ROTATABLE IMPACT TOOL HOLDER Filed Aug. 1, 1955 FIG.I.

as I INVEJVTOR. MARTIN M. FORD ATTQRNEY' ROTATABLE IMPACT TOOL HOLDER Martin M. Ford, Baltimore, Md.

Application August 1, 1955, Serial No. 525,711

8 Claims. (Cl. 8152.3)

This invention relates to manually operated tools and more particularly to those included in the class employed for tightening or loosening screw threaded nuts and bolts.

It has for an object the provision of a new and improved manually operated tool holder of a rotary nature that will avoid some of the disadvantages and limitations of the previous art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved manually operated tool holder of a rotatable nature that will render the removal and placement of conventional nuts and bolts relatively easy. The invention employs the principles involved in impact and momentum to accomplish this.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a new and improved manually operated rotatable tool holder for the removal and placement of screw-threaded items in sockets and to facilitate operations by means of flying weights attached to it at suitable locations and conveniently disposed for actuation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved manually operated rotatable yoke adapted to hold and actuate removable wrench sockets or the like, with shank reinforced with weights to apply momentum, through its effect in impact to loosen or tighten, in either direction, removable rotatable tool items mounted on the sockets.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is described in more detail.

In a particular wrench previously developed, its structureeonsists of a wrench stock including a breast piece, on which a rotatable armed yoke is fitted. The yoke terminates in weights, which are employed in cooperation with the effort produced by manual manipulation to rotate it and loosen or tighten nuts or bolts. Sockets of suitable type and size removably mounted on the stock are slipped onthe nuts or bolts to effect this. Inthis invention, the weights are included on the radial arms of a yoke and are free to rotate through an appreciable arc of a circle to gain momentum, and then arcuately impart the energy developed, from. a lug to a second lug attached to the stock. The stock in turn transmits the momentum of the impact to the 1 bit or other .tool it ismounted on. The Stock is designed for plural employment b y having its different ends arrangedfor individualsockets, so the utility of the device maybe proportionally multiplied.

For afbetterunderstanding of the invention and its objects, reference is made to the accompanying drawingslwher ein a particular forr-n of the inventionis por trayed by way of example.

This particular form is used to illustrate the invention in conjunction with thefollowing description and indicates a structure preferred and theprinciples 'on which its operation depends. It is not intended as a limitation to the possiblestructures that canbe designatedand used,

.wit'hint-heqscope ofthe-claimstlrat areincluded in this sp d-limits- 1 2,793,551 Patented May 28, 1957 In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a rotatable impact tool holder embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1; V

Figure 3 is a detail in perspective of the spindle used in this embodiment; and v Figure 4 is a sectional view taken through a typical socket usable with the rotatable tool holder.

Similar reference numerals refer to the sanie parts ice throughout the drawings. k In the drawings, a yoke intended for rotatable manual operation comprises a pair of symmetrical arms 10 spreading out radially from a cylindrically formed center sleeve 11. A passage 12 runs longitudinally through the sleeve 11. A boss 13 is formed at the upper end of the passage 12 and it is provided with a face 15 and it is joined by a circular enlargement 14 from which the arms extend. The face 15 is finished off smooth to provide a low frictional sliding surface for a spindle or stock 16 to rotate easily on. Weights 17 of substantial size are integrally attached at the ends of the arms 10. These weights 17 provide suitable momentum to the yoke when propelled through an arcuate path with the center sleeve 11 as an axis. Projecting above and from one of the arms 10 is a stop lug 13. It is located adjacent to the transverse axis of the boss 13 and his designed to transmit the full force of momentum of the yoke when the latter is spun arcuately with its weights. The lugs 18 when spun around strikes the lug member 20 extending radially outwardly from the periphery of the cylindrical spindle 16. The spindle absorbs the energy and transmits it through its body 19 and a socket 27 attached to it, for operating the nut or other item that the socket is fitted on. i

The spindle consists of a cylindrical body 19 that is rotatable on the upper face 15 of the boss 13 and has its end portion adjacent, formed with a stud 21 designed to take a removable socket 22. A set screw or ball tensioning means 23 fastens the socket in place. The body 19 has the lug 20 projected frorn it, in a plane at right angles to its longitudinal axis. The spindle con sists of the body 19 having a shaft of reduced diameter at its lower end. The shaft 24 is made long enough to permit a cylindrical collar 25 to he slid over its to form a slidable stop member holding the spindle to the yoke. A set screw 26 secures the collar 25 to shaft 24. There is an axial stud 29 extended beyond the end of the shaft 24 designed for holding a socket 27 to it, through the use of a set screw or ball fastening means 28. The socket 27 can be designed for holding or fitting a nut, bit, drill, or other tool suitable for the work that. the device can handle. It will be noted that the spindle is adapted for actuating the various tools at both its upper or lower ends. The ends of the spindle are termed the upper and lower ends respectively arbitrarily, tomake their respective identification easier.

In the operation of the device, the holder has a suitable socket mounted on the end of the spindle to be used. For example the end has a socket 22 adapted for useon a nut frozen on the wheel of a motor vehicle. The socket 22 is fitted over the nut, and when in position, the yoke is given a quick spin by the operator swinging the weights 17 by hand in a plane at right angles to their axis. The yoke rotates through" a path covering-the greater part of a circle and brings its stop lug.18 on its arm 10 forcibly against the lug 20. The lug 20 through the spindle and socket shocks the nut (not shown) and loosens it. After that the nut is removed by rotating the yoke freely with the spindle actuated by it. If the nut is not loosened sufficiently after the first impact, the process is repeated until it is loosened. If the nut is to be tightened, the yoke is rotated in the opposite direction, and the stoplug l8 strikes the lug 20 on; the opposite side.

In other words the yoke is operated in either direction depending on the direction required by the item to be actuated by the socket. In Figure 4, the socket 27 has a recess 29 for fitting on a nut or stud bolt head. The recess can be varied to suit the item to be held in it.

The salient features of the device, include its capacity for actuating a rotating tool requiring starting, by extra forcible operation. The weights provide a medium that requires relatively little manual effort to work the yoke, yet the latter accumulates momentum after it is started and the operator allows it to drift by itself to produce an energetic blow against the spindle engaging the tool, which in turn actuates the item that it holds. The device does the work of a hammer hitting a tool fitted on to a nutor other item to be moved. This requires two separate appliances, one of which is apt to be damaged during the process. Also the use of the two appliances requires more effort and in a diiferent way than that re quired in the use of this invention. The device is a time saver over other methods. It has considerable flexibility in its use of items or tools it can actuate usefully. The device is simple in construction and operation and can be disassembled for transportation, while not being hard to reassemble quickly. The cylindrical fofmof weights enables them to be manipulated readily as such are easily held by the hand, and the body 19 and its corresponding shaft 24 can be removed from the arms and replaced by others to suit various tools to be used with the device.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and :come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weight on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the 'body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke.

' 2. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke, said yoke including a central sleeve having a passage passing therethrough along its transverse axis, and said body of the spindle riding on the upper face of the yoke when actuated rotatably and including a shaft extending through said passage for retaining a predetermined position therein, to keep said lugs aligned as aforesaid.

3. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke, said yoke including a central sleeve having a passage passing therethrough along its transverse axis, and said body of the spindle riding on the upper face of the yoke when actuated rotatably and including a shaft extending through said passage for retaining a predetermined position therein to keep said lugs aligned as aforesaid, said weights being of cylindrical form with their axis parallel with that of said spindle and yoke.

4. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weight and yoke, said yoke including a central sleeve having a passage passing therethrough along its transverse axis, and said body of the spindle riding on the upper face of the yoke when actuated rotatably and including a shaft extending through said passage for retaining a predetermined position therein to keep said lugs aligned as aforesaid, said weights being of cylindrical form with their axis parallel with that of said spindle and yoke, the body and shaft being formed with stubs on the end portions thereof for mounting the socket thereon.

5. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with Weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms, a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angle to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon, said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke said lugs being adapted to make impact with each other in either direction, and on the rotating of the tool to rotate fully together.

6. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms, a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke, said lugs being adapted to make impact with each other in either direction, and on the rotating of the tool to rotate fully together, a collar for retaining the spindle in position in the yoke, said collar being secured to the said body by removable holding means.

7. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke, said lugs being adapted to make impact with each other in either direction, and on the rotating of the tool to rotate fully together, a collar for retaining the spindle in position in the yoke, said collar being secured to the said body by removable holding means, and means for fastening the socket to said body.

8. An impact tool holder comprising in combination, a rotatable yoke including radial arms with weights on the end portions and a projecting lug on one of the arms; a spindle including a cylindrical body projecting through said yoke with their axis at right angles to each other, a second lug extending from the side of said body and aligned with said projecting lug so as to be struck thereby when the yoke is given a rotary impetus, a socket means mountable rigidly on said body for actuating a rotatable tool placeable thereon; said tool receiving the energy transmitted by the body when struck as aforesaid induced by the momentum developed by the weights and yoke,

said lugs being adapted to make impact with each other in either direction, and on the rotating of the tool to rotate fully together, a collar for retaining the spindle in position in the yoke, said collar being secured to the said body by removable holding means, means for fastening the socket to said body, said spindle being arranged to mount plural sockets usable independently included in said socket means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,521 Pierce July 1, 1941 2,282,743 Pervier May 12, 1942 2,313,398 Ronning Mar. 9, 1943 2,585,333 Mabrey Feb. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 511,547 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1939 662,486 Great Britain Dec. 5, 1951 

